Circus is a Canadian television variety show, which aired on CTV from 1978 to 1985.Blaik Kirby, "CTV puts a circus in a studio and comes up with a winner". The Globe and Mail, April 15, 1978. Airing in an early-evening slot aimed at children and families, the show featured various circus acts performing in a television studio instead of a traditional circus venue.Donn Downey, "Circus: short on budget and bravado". The Globe and Mail, September 23, 1978.
The show's original hosts were Cal Dodd and Sherisse Laurence,Ray Conlogue, "Circus co-star getting a kick out of big top". The Globe and Mail, November 11, 1978. who were replaced in later seasons by Pierre Lalonde.Mike Boone, "Pierre Lalonde is ringmaster of his own circus". Edmonton Journal, November 18, 1983. All of the hosts were also singers, who would sometimes perform songs in between circus acts, as well as the show's opening theme song.
It originally aired on April 16, 1978, as a one-off special, becoming a weekly series in the fall due to its popularity. It was the highest-rated Canadian entertainment program in its first season,"CTV claims Circus top Canadian show". The Globe and Mail, March 15, 1979. leading CTV to expand it from half an hour to a full hour in its second season,"Circus expands". Regina Leader-Post, May 11, 1979. although the one-hour format was not as popular and the show reverted to a half-hour format in 1980."Circus back". Regina Leader-Post, September 12, 1980. In the one-hour season, comedian Billy Van appeared as Spats the Clown, but did not continue in this role after the show returned to a half-hour format."Billy Van gets a double heave-ho". Toronto Star, July 12, 1980.
The series was also sold into syndication in the United States and internationally."Dials and channels". Montreal Star, April 12, 1978.
The series was cancelled by CTV in 1985.Matthew Fraser, "Canadian shows on CTV agenda". The Globe and Mail, May 22, 1985.
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